Fans of the Perth Lynx have been left furious after Channel 9 delayed the live broadcast of their team's crucial Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) clash for the second consecutive season.
Broadcast Snub Mars Thrilling Finish
The network chose to show a United Cup tennis match from Sydney, featuring Germany and the Netherlands, instead of airing the Lynx game against the Canberra Capitals live into Western Australia. The match tipped off at 9:30am WST on Sunday, 4 January 2026, but the delayed broadcast did not begin until 10am. Viewers in all other Australian states received the basketball game live.
This decision meant local supporters missed witnessing a dramatic conclusion live. The Lynx's seven-game winning streak was shattered in heartbreaking fashion when Canberra's Nyadiew Puoch sank an incredible half-court shot on the buzzer to steal a 77-74 victory.
Club Leadership Voices Disappointment
Perth Lynx General Manager, Chris Earl, expressed his profound frustration, revealing he was only informed of the schedule change minutes before the game began. "It's really disappointing," Earl told The West Australian. "We've done a lot of work to build this club... It's really disappointing that our fans couldn't watch that game live."
Earl highlighted the club's growing momentum, including a move to the Perth High Performance Centre and membership numbers reaching their highest point since 1992. He also criticised the "lack of communication" from the broadcaster, which prevented the club from warning its fanbase.
This incident marks an exact repeat of the previous season, where Channel 9 also delayed a Lynx broadcast for a United Cup match not involving Australia. The league had apologised for that prior error.
On-Court Issues Compound Broadcast Problems
The broadcast issue was compounded by a significant visual problem during the game itself. Both teams took to the court wearing predominantly black uniforms, creating a major jersey clash that made it difficult for viewers to distinguish between the sides.
On the court, the Lynx struggled to replicate the form that saw them win seven straight games by an average of 22 points, including a 26-point demolition of Canberra just last month. Despite Canberra missing star players Jade Melbourne and Sara Blicavs, Perth produced a below-par performance.
Coach Ryan Petrik refused to blame the unusual 9:30am start time for the loss, a slot where the team has historically struggled in interstate games. "If it was midnight we would play. It's a privilege to be in this position," Petrik stated, challenging his team to adapt better to the schedule.
Chinese centre Han Xu was a standout for the Lynx in defeat, posting a monstrous stat line of 30 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks. However, a botched final offensive play by Perth set the stage for Puoch's miraculous game-winner from half court.
